Nigel Adkins chose the right evening to watch Southampton’s prospects of Premier League survival going up in smoke.

And although he is neck-and-neck with QPR’s Mark Hughes in the sack race, Adkins may be in the home straight and within sight of the firing range now.

Two-goal Peter Odemwingie gave Saints another harsh lesson in the ­difference between freedom of movement and tightness of marking as Albion moved up to fifth – above Arsenal and Tottenham - after their fifth win in six home games.

Adkins, the miracle-worker who delivered back-to-back promotions at St Mary’s, came to the Black Country with his job under threat nine games after leading the club back into the ­promised land.